Life cycle assessment, in short LCA, is a term we use often at 5REDO, and an important part of what we do in our consulting process. While the term seems self explanatory, a life cycle assessment is multifaceted, and its components can shift to address specific cases and situations. It’s a crucial step on the path to the circular economy, as it allows us to see and understand how to better use everyday products and materials.
What does ‘life cycle’ mean?
Just like people, plants, and animals, the products we use every day have a life span, even when we get rid of or no longer want them. A plastic fork, for example, may be used for five minutes, but remain in a landfill for up to 500 years. That’s a long time for a small, throwaway product.
The life cycle of a product means how long it will either take to break down in a landfill, composting center, or how many times it can be recycled or reused in different ways, sometimes after being broken down (different pieces of a product may have varying life cycles).
You may be familiar with the term “cradle to grave”, a popular phrase corporations use to describe the life of a product. A life cycle assessment in relation to the circular economy shifts this idea to “cradle to cradle”, meaning that the goal is to find a way to reuse, remanufacture, or reduce waste and give products new life.
What is a life cycle assessment?
A life cycle assessment is a method used to determine how much value is in a product, by finding out how long it’s typically used for (either by individuals or businesses, or both), if it can be recycled or reused, and how. At 5REDO, in line with circular economy principles, the goal is to both extend the life cycle of products and materials, and ensure everything used in a supply chain has the longest life cycle possible.
An LCA may look different depending on who is conducting it, and for what product or business. In general, there are four broad steps to an LCA, including:
- Goal and scope definition
- Inventory analysis
- Impact assessment
- Interpretation
Again, these stages may look different depending on the business. One of the most crucial pieces is the impact assessment, which is a breakdown of the current life cycle of an item, and the larger impact that has on the environment. Once the LCA is complete, we can also see how that impact will change when substituted with a more sustainable solution.
When should an LCA be performed?
Usually, an LCA is part of the larger process of analyzing and shifting a product or business to being more sustainable and environmentally responsible. It’s an important measurement tool, and the insights garnered from an LCA can help in the decision making process for businesses and consultants alike. At 5REDO, we are experienced in conducting LCAs for a variety of products and components in manufacturing.
As the co-founder of 5REDO, Forough brings her expertise in supply chain management, business operations, inventory control, and revenue management to support the implementation of circular solutions within different industry sectors.
As an expert in sustainability, life cycle assessment, circular economy, and green chemistry, Nicolas possesses valuable skills and knowledge that can assist companies in developing and implementing sustainable and environmentally-friendly business models. They can achieve this by utilizing eco-friendly materials, improving manufacturing processes, reducing waste and hazardous chemical use, and advocating for the use of safer and more sustainable alternatives.
With a passion for driving change and creating impact, Mahdi co-founded 5REDO to promote circular economy principles in Canada. He’s an alumnus of the 2021 Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s ‘From Linear to Circular Programme.’ Mahdi played a pivotal role in developing and managing the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Circular Economy Seed Funding program, fostering partnerships between companies and academic researchers to co-create circular solutions.
Originating from Barcelona, Laia’s educational journey led her to pursue secondary studies in the south of France. Her Bachelor’s degree in Economics and International Management allowed her to develop an analytical mindset. During her Master’s in International Business and Management, she engaged in numerous research study cases and actively participated in the creation of different business plans. This helped her develop an ability to critically analyze and address the strategic challenges that companies encounter.
Andre has over 5 years of industry experience in project management, polymer and composite processing, materials characterization, and product development. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil, and a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Technology from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, where he focused on Polymer and Composite materials. In 2012, he founded a design and manufacturing company specializing in biocomposites made with natural fibers, which he successfully sold in 2015.
Karan is an experienced professional who has worked in multiple geographies and roles along his career. He holds a total of 10+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, and has focused his efforts towards finding solutions for waste recovery and making recovery economical for industries. 
As our Senior Research Scientist, Hormoz draws on his eight years of industrial and nine years of academic research experience in the areas of polymer science and engineering to develop new solutions for advancing circularity and sustainability.
With her significant hands-on experience in developing and characterizing biological and chemical systems, Vicky plays a key role in 5REDO’s efforts toward developing novel products and technologies that offer improved circularity and sustainability to the industry and society. 
With several years of research experience in France and Canada, Fabien lends his expertise and passion for enzymology and microbiology to 5REDO’s sustainability innovation plans. 
By leveraging her expertise in life cycle analysis and process engineering, Ophela helps 5REDO to take a holistic approach to the development of circular solutions and technologies. 
As a recent graduate of chemical engineering from the University of Waterloo, Kyle brings his passion for impactful innovation and his experience with novel recycling processes to 5REDO to support our technology development initiatives. 
Shauna is a freelance journalist that covers a wide range of topics, including health, education, the environment, travel, lifestyle trends, and more. She holds a Master of Journalism from Carleton University, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Global Development from Queen’s University.